But it looks like their prediction has recently changed, based on this:

“Scout’s 2011 bowl prediction for the Illini has them heading out San Francisco to participate in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. There, Scout predicts, the Illini would take on the UCLA Bruins, who would be 6-7 on the season and also likely minus its coach as well. Two teams with a combined record of 12-13 and without head coaches doesn’t exactly sound like the most appetizing match up, but such is one of the downsides of the current bowl system.”

So, as recently as yesterday, some people were thinking it could be this squad…

Click to expand

…versus this one, the crew from Illinois. (You know, they’re looking for men, as always.)

But it looks like their prediction has recently changed, based on this:

“Scout’s 2011 bowl prediction for the Illini has them heading out San Francisco to participate in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. There, Scout predicts, the Illini would take on the UCLA Bruins, who would be 6-7 on the season and also likely minus its coach as well. Two teams with a combined record of 12-13 and without head coaches doesn’t exactly sound like the most appetizing match up, but such is one of the downsides of the current bowl system.”

So, as recently as yesterday, some people were thinking it could be this squad…

Click to expand

…versus this one, the crew from Illinois. (You know, they’re looking for men, as always.)

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 8, 2011 — PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG) today announced that Anthony F. Earley, Jr., 62, will become the company’s new Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and President. Earley’s appointment – the first in PG&E’s history to come from outside the organization – puts the company under the leadership of one of the nation’s most experienced energy executives.

As head of Michigan-based DTE Energy for more than a decade, Earley built the company’s core businesses – Detroit Edison and Michigan Consolidated Gas Company – into two of the most highly respected electric and natural gas operating companies, with strong performance on many of the industry’s key safety and reliability measures.

“Tony is a highly respected and proven CEO who will provide fresh eyes and strong leadership as we focus on public safety and operations excellence,” said Lee Cox, interim Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President. “We looked across the industry and found the person best qualified to help us win back public confidence.”

Earley joined Detroit Edison in 1994 as President and Chief Operating Officer. He became CEO of DTE Energy in 1998 and served in that role through 2010. Most recently, he has been DTE’s Executive Chairman. DTE Energy is one of the nation’s largest diversified energy companies.

“PG&E has a proud legacy,” said Earley. “It’s a great privilege to help an iconic company recover from its recent challenges and reclaim its standing as the utility others admire and aspire to follow.”

CAIR: Burned Quran Found at San Francisco Mosque. Muslim civil rights group urges community members to report suspicious activity

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18 — The San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA) today reported that a burned copy of the Quran, Islam’s holy text, was found earlier this week at the Islamic Society of San Francisco (ISSF).

CAIR-SFBA is reminding community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity in the area of local mosques.

ISSF officials reported to CAIR-SFBA that they found the burned copy of the Quran in a trash container placed outside for collection. The incident was reported to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and to the San Francisco office of the FBI.

“Regrettably, the recent wave of hate incidents targeting American Muslims has made its way to the Bay Area,” said CAIR-SFBA Programs and Outreach Director Zahra Billoo. “It is unfortunate that a minority community is being targeted by hate in this way, and we are appreciative of the support that has been expressed by local elected officials and interfaith leaders.”

She noted that Muslim communities nationwide have been similarly targeted in recent weeks.

“Judge Wardlaw was born on July 2, 1954, in San Francisco, California. She grew up in the Bay Area, raised by her Mexican-American mother, who worked as a bookkeeper, and her Scotch-Irish father, who worked as a door-to-door furniture salesman.”

The judge et vir:

[Horrible red-eye effect reduced in post, somewhat, so don’t rely on this for eye color.]

“During my second set of confirmation proceedings, I was told that some people thought I wasn’t smart enough because I looked like a California girl (which I proudly am). I actually empathize a bit with Reese Witherspoon’s character in “Legally Blonde”– during my first semester at UCLA, no one invited me to be in their study group!”

Here’s the scene this morning in the outer Outer Sunset District / Parkside area of San Francisco – it’s Congresswoman Jackie Speier at her Town Hall Meeting. Here’s the news – as far as the replacement for departing United States Supreme Court Justice David Souter is concerned, Jackie has “no doubt it’s going to be a woman.”